First time on meds

Jan 5, 2004

Hi Doctor. I have just started meds. The more i read the more confused i get. I am taking efavirenz 600mg and a combo of limivudine 150mg/zidovudine300mg. I have been on the meds five weeks and doing good. Side effects not to bad, but i just read that the efavirenz causes changes in body fat (buffalo hump) and other changes. Can you tell me how long it takes before these changes start and if they go away if i change meds. Since i have been on the drugs my Tcell has gone from 257 to 259 but my percantage is up 4 and my viral load has gone from 39000 to 66.This is a clinical trial so i will be on this for a year. Hope you can help. W

Response from Dr. Wohl

I am unaware of any data implicating efavirenz itself in buffalo hump development. Further, body fat changes can and do occur but they are not a certainty and, in fact, most people on HIV treatment regimens do not develop buffalo humps.

The exact cause(s) of body fat changes following HIV therapy is/are unclear. Medications themselves, immune responses, changes in diet with improved well being, genetics, among other factors have been implicated. I would hold off on worrying about body shape changes too much at this point and maintain a healthy lifestyle of exercise and smart eating.

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